That puts us at 0.006% of the global population. How did I arrive at 500k? I kinda made it up based on carnivore study populations, but its super duper tiny. I looked everywhere, I can't really find a solid estimate. But we are totally in the dozens of us category.
I NEVER meet another zero carb carnivore anywhere organically. Plus there is huge stigma for being a carnivore. EVERYONE thinks I'm crazy.
- Omnivore - 73% - 6,000M
- Flexitarian - 14% - 1,100M
- Vegetarian - 5% - 400M
- Pescatarian - 3% - 250M
- Vegan - 3% - 250M
- Zero Carb Carnivore - 0.006% - 0.5M
Using ipsos (broad strokes good enough) for the other eating pattern data
It's fine to be a minority group. Live and let live.
There are some people who simply cannot suffer us in our little corner of the internet at all. My poor little community script runs every day and bans many accounts for just downvoting all the posts in the community. https://discuss.online/modlog/696952
I've dug into the many of the non-obvious-sockpuppet accounts, and it seems most of the hate directed at us comes from our nearest neighbor at 3% total population. A group 500x more popular.
I really wish we could just be friends, let's agree that whole foods, totally unprocessed is good, and leave each other alone as allies in improving everyone's health. I'd like that. This childish animosity doesn't help anyone.
Perhaps this is just the cost of being a small fringe eating pattern, easy target for other less small groups to hate.
Eyeballing daily active users on the fediverse it looks like we have about 7,000 unique users every day. There are about 3 carnivores - which puts us at 0.04% of the lemmy population.
I have nothing but respect for people who modify their diet (and in my opinion - make health harder to maintain) for ethical reasons. More power to them.
I'll agree that industrial agriculture isn't sustainable, but I will disagree that ruminate agiculture has to be a source of pollution. pasture raised cattle are part of the natural biocycle, etc, I'm happy to link previous posts on this or dig into the details with you if you find it of interest.
Sure, if you see animals as humans. That is quite the epistemological step!
Very lamentable, if would be far more effective if they funded RCTs to prove their philosophy has better outcomes.
I wrote the whole thing up here, in extreme detail! https://lemmy.world/post/35059230
However, the short version - I was fat, hypertensive, with skin conditions - I tried keto, that worked well, then escalated into carnivore and that worked excellently.
Yes - I still crave carbs sometimes, carb addiction is just as real and as strong as alcoholism. It's not hunger, but more like triggers - someone talks about my favorite pizza shop and all I can think about for the next day is pizza. But not as a hunger - I'm basically never hungry now, its quite liberating. Traveling with a group really makes this difference stand out - they are eating, snacking, and planning the next meal constantly, but I'm good and kinda see it as silly to always be eating.
The first 1-2 weeks of keto is hard core cravings and carb withdrawal - once you get over the hump then its about figure out your behavioral triggers, location triggers, and psychological triggers and overcoming them as they come up (driving by your favorite coffee shop who makes the croissants you love etc). Over time those triggers diminish
It's quite the journey, I haven't been perfect, I've had a few relapses based around some of my deep trigger foods (deep dish pizza, and cookie dough), but for the most part I'm able to stay clean. It's really helpful that I now know what carb addiction feels like vs hunger, it helps me break out of the relapses.
Happy to answer any other questions.
Thanks for the thorough reply, really wasn’t trying to argue with you, just maybe share some insight why carnivores are a bit more controversial to some people. Regarding the epistemological leap of seeing animals as humans, I believe it’s more the other way around, at least for the vegans I know. Humans are animals and therefore the industrial exploitation and slaughter of our fellow beings is a great sin to them. Especially since domestic animas usually don’t kill other animals so they might be considered extra innocent in comparison to us.
I’ll come back to this when I have more time if it’s ok for you guys. It’s really interesting to me. And I got so many more questions (like what do you guys think of characters like the liver king for example)
Oh no argument perceived. This is just how I write, kind of a overwhelming infodump, sorry if it sounded argumentative.
Yeah, the vegan philosophy is interesting, I don't think I can respectfully represent it in a discussion so that's all I'll say on it.
Please, your always welcome, ask anything.
Liver King - influencer selling products, not a credible source, he doesn't publish novel research. From what I've read eating liver isn't really healthy long term, once in awhile is fine as a treat (if you like it). I also think it's clear he uses anabolic steroids, so not a good health leader.
I already guessed you might feel like the liver king gives you guys a bad rep. Just had to ask since he’s the most visible „carnivore“ out there. So if you like it or not, I think some people might see him as a sort of representation for the movement.
No need for excusing yourself, I didn’t take it that way. Just was trying to be extra clear about it since you seem to get a lot of flack. Thanks for being so welcoming and open
Yeah with friends like liver king....
I think his target demo is young men looking to get beefy... Whereas I'm more focused on helping those around me with their health problems.
Everything is connected to metabolism it seems. So I have lots of friendly advice. Ever since the pandemic I've made it my hobby to critically read the actual literature on health, metabolism, and nutrition. The strongest evidence exists for a ketogenic metabolism, carnivore evidence doesn't really exist outside of mechanistic suggestion and lack of contraindications.
The best way I've found to help those around me is to have a box of cgms by my door, if someone tells me about a metabolic related problem (which is basically every health problem) - slap on a cgm and teach them how to play the 'keep the line flat' game... It's the single most valuable tool I've had in improving the lives of the people around me. It helps them see the benefit of going low carb.